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Month April 2010

I’ve spent the better part of six months looking for local sources for organic food. Local being no more than a 20-mile round trip. I’ve not been able to find a source for produce or meat.

One of the options I have is to order for home delivery both produce or meat. The company is local, well known, and all of their products are from local farmers. This is very expensive. I may have to do some creative budgeting to make this work. Also, we have storage issues.

Because we live in an apartment we have to make use of the appliances that come with it. The appliances are ten years old and not efficient. Not. even. close. To purchase a chest freezer would raise our utility bill. If we had more efficient appliances we would purchase a small chest freezer.

So..I need to figure out if we should buy more efficient appliances while we live here and take them with us when we leave.

We have decided not to purchase a CSA share this season. It was a hard decision to make. Living 50 miles from the nearest farm, that could offer us a share, was the primary reason. We will travel once a month to Madison and buy fresh produce at the Dane County’s Farmer’s Market. I will time our monthly shopping to coincide with that day.

It will be a long day for us but doing this will save miles on our car and a lot of fuel. Last year, participating in the CSA, cost us $12.50 a trip. After adding all the expenses together we came out about $1.00 a week ahead for the 20 week season. Yes, we enjoyed the benefits of fresh vegetables and a trip to the farm twice a month. At the same time, we put on an extra 200 miles a month on our auto and an extra $25.00 a month in fuel. The cost was too much.

There must be a better way. I am frustrated and disappointed that to supply my family with organic food so much has to be worked out. Why can’t it be as easy as walking to the local grocery store? People in this area are not asking for organic. Frankly when I shop I almost believe I am the only one in this town buying the organic milk. I am thankful that I can buy my dairy products locally. I am thankful, very thankful, for that.

When we made the decision to change our lifestyle to organic we knew we would struggle. We knew that the costs would be high. The costs will stay high until more people choose to change their lifestyles.

On a positive note, we have been able to find Green cleaning supplies local. We’ve purchased most of the Seventh Generation line for cleaning. I would highly recommend all of their products.